Golf ball



April 4 1939 B. BOGOSLOWSKY- GOLF BALL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Filed March 28, 1938 v E s E m w R Q w w m f 3 g N 3 5 .5 s: n2 E W pril 4-, W39, B. BOGOSLOWSKY GOLF BALL Filed March 28, 1958 6 Sheets-$heet 2 IN V N TOR.

April 4, 1%. 5. BOGOSLOWSKY GOLF BALL Filed March 28, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN 0R.

AfiMf Filed March 28, 1938 6 sheets sheet 4 I N V EN TOR.

April 1 B. BOGOSLOWSKY GOLF BALL Filed March 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 4,1939. a. BOGOSLOWSKY f 2 5 1 GOLF BALL I Filed March 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVE TOR.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLF BALL Boris Bogoslowsky, New York, N. Y. Application March 28, 1938, Serial No. 198,362

10 Claims.

This invention relates to golf balls.

It is an object of the invention to provide a golf ball having improved playing characteristics.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a diagram plotted torectangular coordinates showing the manner of oscillation of the feed point during the winding operation together with an explanatory tabulation.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a ball body showing a single convolution applied near the equator.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 4 is a Mercator projection of the same.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a ball body showing a single convolution applied approximately midway between the equator and the poles.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 7 is a Mercator projection of the same.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a ball body showing a single convolution applied near the poles.

Figure 9 is an end view of the same.

Figure 10 is a Mercator projection of the same.

Figure 11 is a Mercator projection showing a plurality of successive convolutions.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a ball showing the same series of successive convolutions.

Figure 13 is a cross-section through the geometric center of a ball body.

A- process for the manufacture of golf ball bodies such as described and claimed hereinafter has been described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 122,957, filed January 29, 1937; and an apparatus or machine for the manufacture of such golf ball bodies has been described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 139,359, filed April 28, 1937. The application is filed as a continuation in part of said copending applications, and reference .may be had to such applications for disclosure of process and apparatus for making such golf ball bodies. I

As a matter of terminology, when I refer to golf ball bodies in this specification, and in the claims appended thereto, I am referring to the resilient body contained within the outside cover of the finished ball, or to any portion of such resilient body as may be formed in accordance with the principles or my invention as set forth hereinafter. For example, it is possible to wind an elastic strand in such manner that the entire resilient body from the geometric center to the outer periphery thereof is formed in accordance' with my invention, in which case the entire resilient body would constitute the golf ball body within the meaning of the term as 5 by winding a strand or strands of elastic material,

preferably rubber thread or tape, on a mandrel. According to the preferred embodiment of my process described in my copending application Serial No. 122,957, the said mandrel is constantly rotated and each elastic strand is fed thereto under tension through a feed point which oscillates in timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel in such manner as to vary the angle of incidence between the axis of the mandrel and the strand being wound thereon. As explained therein, the feed point shifts from one end of its path of oscillation to the other each time the mandrel is rotated through an angle of plus an additional angular increment, 5 to 10, for example, the exact amount of this increment depending on the characteristics of the rubber strand and of the ball being wound. Furthermore, as explained in said application, the amplitude of oscillation of said feed point is varied progressively from maximum to minimum to maximum, etc. as winding proceeds. Finally, as explained in my copending application Serial No. 139,359, it is desirable to vary the extent and period of variation of amplitude of oscillation of said feed point as the ball body increases in size.

As an aid to a proper understanding of the construction of the ball body resulting therefrom, one type of oscillation of the feed point which will produce a ball has been illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1. In this diagram, which is plotted to rectangular coordinates, it may be assumed that the vertical coordinates represent the position of the feed point, while the horizontal coordinatesrepresent time. Thus each of the diagonal lines a represents an oscillating movement of the feed point, it being understood that between each such oscillating movement of the feed point the mandrel moves through an each series up to angle of plus an additional angular increment. In the diagram only a few such diagonal lines are shown, it being impossible, within the scale of the drawing, to show them all.

From this diagram the nature of the oscillating movements may be easily observed. Thus, the point D represents a point of minimum amplitude of oscillation, in this case, zero amplitude. From this, point the amplitude of successive oscillations increases progressively to a point c of mardmum amplitude. Then the amplitude again decreases to another point (1 of minimum amplitude. The oscillations occurring between any given point of minimum amplitude and the next succeeding point of minimum amplitude constitute a series of oscillations,

In the next series of oscillations from point 41 to point c, it will be observed that the maximum amplitude at point I is greater than the maximum amplitude at point 0, that is, the extent of variation of amplitude has increased. It will also be observed that the number of oscillations between points d and e is greater than the number between points I) and d, that is, the period of variation of amplitude has also increased.

In this diagram the oscillating movements have been traced in one series only, but it will be understood that the lines a indicate the outlines of the oscillating movements of the other series. In the tabulation accompanying the diagram a typical example of a winding operation is given, showing the number of complete oscillations in each series, the maximum amplitude of oscillation in each series and the, approximate diameter of the ball body at the completion of 1" diameter. Beyond this point each tabulation would preferably progress in like manner. While the figures stated in thistabulation have been taken from an actual winding op.- eration, it will be understood that they are merely typical and subject to variation depending on conditions.

These oscillations of the feed point, together with the variation of the amplitude of said oscillation, together with the variation of the extent and period of variation of amplitude of said oscillations, result in the production of a ball body of definitely distinguishable structural characteristics which are reflected in the performance of the finished ball.

Before referring to Figures 2 to 13 which illustrate semi-diagrammatically the structure of a golf ball body made in accordance with my invention, it should be understood that since the mandrel rotates 180 plus an additional angular increment between each oscillating movement of the feed point, it rotates 360 plus twice said additional angular increment during any complete cycle of movement of the feed point from any given starting point back to the same starting point. For purposes of this application it may be assumed that a complete convolution is applied to the ball body during such a complete cycle of movement of the feed point, so that each convolution extends around the periphery of the ball a distance somewhat greater than the circumierenoe oi the ball.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the convolutions applied to the ball body when the oscillations of the feed point are of minimum amplitude are in the nature of equatorial convolutions, i. e., they extend around the ball in the region of its equator and cross an imaginary line at relatively small angles.. If the winding machine is so constructed that the minimum amplitude is'zero, a convolution applied under these conditions would extend exactly around the equator; but as the amplitude of 0scillation of the feed point increases, the successive convolutions applied. cross the imaginary equatorial line at progressively increasing angles up to a maximum angle which is reached when the amplitude of oscillation is at a maximum. At this point the convolutions are in the nature of polar convolutions, i. e., they extend around the ball in the region of the poles, and cross the imaginary equatorial line at angles approaching 90".

These features have been illustrated in Figures 2 to 10 inclusive. In these figures the mandrel or axis of rotation is represented by M. In these figures it is assumed that the convolutions are wound during a period of decreasing amplitude. It is also assumed that there is a change of amplitude of approximately 1 between successive convolutions, and an added increment of rotation of the mandrel of approximately 10 for each 360 of rotation. Except for these variable factors, however, the convolutions illustrated in these figures are representative of various types of convolutions applied during any given series of oscillations of the feed point, and aretypical of those applied throughout the ball body, from the very first convolution applied to the mandrel to the last. Thus, in Figures 2, 3 and 4 there is illustrated a single convolution applied when the amplitude of oscillation of the feed point is near the minimum amplitude. Referring to the projection shown in Figure 4 it will be seen that this convolution starts on 0 meridian at a latitude of 10. It crosses the imaginary equatorial line at the 925 meridian, reaches maximum amplitude on the other side of the equator at recrosses the equator at 2'77.5 and is completed at 370. Due to the decrease in amplitude, however, the two ends of the convolution are spaced along the 0-360 meridian as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Except for this spacing, however, the convolution follows substantially the path of a great circle, with the compressive forces created by the tensional forces within the convolution directed substantially toward the geometric center of the ball body.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7 there is illustrated a single convolution applied when the amplitude of oscillation of the feed point is approximately midway between maximum and minimum, the convolution starting at a latitude of 45. Here again this convolution crosses the equatorial line at the 925 meridian, reaches maximum amplitude 'again at 185, recrosses the equator at 277.5" and is completed at 370". Here again there is a slight spacing along the 0.-360 meridian between the two ends'of the convolution, but again the con volution follows substantially the path of a great circle, and the compressive forces are again directed substantially toward the geometric center of the ball.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10 there is illustrated a single convolution applied when the amplitude of oscillation is near the maximum, the convolution starting at a latitude of 80. The pattern of this convolution is again similar, and again the compressive forces are directed substantially toward the geometric center of the'ball.

In Figures 11 and 12 there are illustrated a plurality of successive convolutions wound at a point in the series where the amplitude of oscillations is decreasing. In these figures, in the interest of clarity, it is assumed that the amplitude of oscillation is decreasing at the rate of between successive convolutions, and that the additional increment of rotation is Thus convolution i starts on the 0 meridian at 50 latitude and ends on the 10 meridian at 45 latitude. Convolution 2 begins on the 10 meridian X; convolution-4 crosses convolution I at at 45 latitude and ends on the 20 meridian at 40 latitude. Convolution 3 begins here and ends on the 30 meridian at 35 latitude. Convolution 4 begins here and ends on the 40 meridian at 30. latitude. It will be observed that the successive convolutions cross at spaced points distributed along the surface of the ball, so that as the ampli- .tude of oscillation decreases from maximum to minimum, or as it increases. from minimum to maximum, at no point are crossing points superimposed. Thus convolution 2 crosses convolution l at point U; convolution 3 crosses convolution 2 at point V;' convolution 4 crosses point 3 at point We: convolution 3 crosses convolution l at point point Y; and convolution 4 crosses" convolution 2 at point Z.

It has been remarked before that these con-' volutions are typical of convolutions applied throughout the ball body from the first convolution to the last, and this fact is of importance, for the pattern of winding is uniform from the geometric center of the ball to the outer' periphery. Furthermore, it will be'understood that since all convolutions are so applied from the veryflrst convolution on, all of the rubber is under tension, and from the very beginning of winding the compressive forces createdby the tensional forces of each convolution are directed substantially toward the geometric center of the ball.

Due to the manner in-which the convolutions are applied in regular series distributed evenly over the surface of the 'ball, points of successive convolutions also distributed evenly over the surface of the ball, the ball body is built up of a series of layers,- each consisting of a group of convolutions applied between a point of minimum amplitude and the next suecessive point of minimum amplitude. Furthermore, the pattern of the component convolutions of each layer are symmetrical with respect to a predetermined axis of the ball. Each of these layers is of substantially uniform thickness, and the shape of the ball body at the end of any given series of convolutions is spherical. Thus the series of convolutions applied between any given point D where the oscillations of the feed point are of minimum amplitude and the-next point d where the oscillations of the feed point are again of minimum amplitude form a complete spherical layer of substantially uniform thickness. Subsequently, of course, the series of convolutions applied between the point d where the oscillations of the feed point are of minimum amplitude and the point e where the oscillations of the feed point are again of minimum amplitude again form a complete spherical layer of substantially uniform thickness. Thus, as-illustrated in Figure 13, the ball body is made up of a plurality of such layers of uniform thickness, the divisions between layers being indicated by dotted lines L. Within each of said layers the compressive forces created by the total of the tensional forces of the entire series of convolutions forming each layer are directed accurately toward the geometric center of the ball. That is, the very slight inaccuracy in the direction of the compressive force exerted by each individual convolution due to the spacing between the ends of the convolution, as

to point d, cross with the crossing set forth previously, is balanced by the fact that in the series of convolutions comprising a layer, the successive convolutions are applied at progressively increasing amplitudes, then at progressively decreasing amplitudes. The inaccuracies,

therefore, are exactly balanced within a complete series or layer of convolutions.

Again, it will be observed by reference to the drawings that the successive convolutions applied during a period of increasing amplitude of oscillation, as from point I; to point 0, cross the imaginary equatorial line at progressively increasing angles up to a maximum angle. Then, the successive convolutions applied during a period of decreasing amplitude, as from point e the imaginary equatorial line at progressively decreasing angles down to a minimum angle.

Again, it will be observed by reference to Figure 1 that the number of convolutions in each series, 1. e., from point of minimum amplitude to the next point of minimum amplitude, increases progressively as winding continues. That is, the series of convolutions between points d and e contains more convolutions than the series between points b and d and so on.

In my copendlng applications heretofore referred to it has been explained that if desired a plurality of separate strands may be wound simultaneously. When this is done, the strands are applied in such manner that each strand crosses each other strand atone point in each convolution. Thus, considering the winding of two strands A and B, for example, strand A would cross strand B at one point and strand B would cross strand A at another point in each convolution. The result is an interwoven strand structure which has several useful purposes. For example, if a strand accidentally breaks during the winding operation, it is unnecessary to stop winding, for the convolutions of the unbroken strand hold the wound portions of the broken strand in place and prevent the latter from unraveling. Furthermore, the interweaving of strands serves to hold the convolutions still more firmly in place and helps to prevent slippage when the ball is subjected to impact from a club. For best results in this respect the machine may be arranged so that one of said strands is being applied at increasing amplitudes of oscillation as the other is applied at decreasing amplitudes of oscillation, for in this manner polar convolutions of one strand would interweave with equatorial convolutions of the other strand, and the crossings of separate strands would occur approximately at right angles.

It will be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A golf ball body comprising an elastic strand under tension, said strand being wound in successive series of convolutions in respect to a given axis of rotation, the successive convolutions of each series crossing an imaginary equatorial line lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of axis of rotation, the successive convolutions of each series crossing an imaginary equatorial line lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation at progressively increasing angles up to 15 a maximum angle approaching 90 and then at progressively decreasing angles down to a minimum angle approaching 0, the number of convolutions comprising each of said series increasing progressively. M 4. A golf ball body comprising an elastic strand under tension, said elastic strand being wound from the geometric center of the ball body to the outer periphery thereof in successive convolutions in respect to a given axis of rotation crossing an 28 imaginary equatorial line lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation at progressively and uniformly varying angles.

5. A golf ball body comprising an elastic strand under tension, said elastic strand being wound .80 from the. geometric center of the ball body to the outer periphery thereof in successive convolutions in respect to a given axis of rotation crossing an imaginary equatorial line lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation at progressively 85 varying angles, said successive convolutions crossing one another at spaced points distributed uniformly along the surface of the ball as it is being wound.

6. A golf ball body comprising an elastic strand 0 under tension, said elastic strand being wound from the geometric center of the ball body to the outer periphery thereof in successive convolutions in respect to agiven axis of rotation crossing an imaginary equatorial line lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation at progressively varying angles, said successive convolutions crossing one another at spaced points distributed uniformly along the surface of the ball as it is being wound, the spacing between said points depending on the angles at which said convolutions cross said equatorial line.

7. A golf ball body composed of successive superimposed layers each consisting of a series of convolutions of at least one elastic strandv under tension, said layers extending from the geometric center of the ball with each layer exhibiting a pattern or component convolutions similar to each other layer, the component convolutions of all layers being symmetrically arranged with respect to acommon axis extending through said geometric center.

8. A golf ball body composed exclusively of successive convolutions of at least one elastic strand wound under tension from the geometric center of the ball body to the outside periphery thereof.

9. A golf ball body composed exclusively of successive convolutions of at least oneelastic strand wound under tension in spherical form from the geometric center of the ball body to the outside periphery thereof.

10. A golf ball body composed exclusively of successive convolutions of at least one elastic strand wound under tension in spherical form from the geometric center of the ball body to the outside periphery thereof with the compressive forces created by the tensional forces of the convolutions directed toward said geometric center.

noms BOGOSLOWSKY. 

